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yeah I guess Freo would need to give up their first pick......hadn't thought of Hannath......though with 211 nearing the end of his career, Freo would need Hannath to step up soon......I guess if Freo were to get Smith they would have to do some imaginative trading......reckon Smith will be right on WCE radar tho....and I reckon they will have a closer to top ten pick than Freo by the end of the year.......they need some zip and x factor......Freo are probably still holding out that Simpson will come good......

depends if EF win or lose the derby on Monday southerner.....But I do know for sure if SF win, you will be the first to jump right back on the Hase steam train again!! .....touch wood EF get a wee bit closer this time!

I certainly don't want Smith playing for Peel next year. Or EP for that matter.

What is a joke with respect to the 18s carnival is that priority is given to playing in a mickey mouse extension of the TAC 18s competition rather than having players who are good enough playing in the WAFL and SANFL league competitions.

swan42 wrote: What is a joke with respect to the 18s carnival is that priority is given to playing in a mickey mouse extension of the TAC 18s competition rather than having players who are good enough playing in the WAFL and SANFL league competitions.

I think what you mean is that WA and SA boys usually play league or ressies after the carnival, or before if good enough (like the SD boys).

Leigh Mathews has said more than once that he like recruiting non vic' for that reason, they ahs played against men and understood the difference!

42 from a fans perspective and a local comp perspective it's frustrating....but realistically it's only a 5 - 6 week window of a long season for these kids...may even freshen up Blakely, Anderson etc mentally/physically for later in the season for their respective league side, when the intensity really steps up......don't reckon 5 - 6 games of playing against the best aged kids in the country is gonna hinder Blakely's development.....hasn't hindered O'Meara's, Swallows, Coniglio's etc development has it?

... not every kid is good enough to play league at 18.....no point having an under 18's carnival if the better players aren't available....also may be the only time in some kids footy career they represent their state or become an A/A player......let them have their day in the sun....they spend the next 10 years plus developing their game, week in week out, against stronger and older opposition.....

Cesspit wrote: I certainly don't want Smith playing for Peel next year. Or EP for that matter.

well if he is as good as most folk say cesspit, he won't be mate.....he will surely be playing for Freo or WCE all season then!....who cares where he goes, as long as he gets drafted hey?.....isn't that the priority here?

actually both O'Meara and Swallow didnt play in their 18th year - they were playing in the Suns reserves team, WA were not able to bring them back to play, same with Martin and Hogan last year.

As for Coniglio - i think it did nothing for him in his 18th year, he was either playing AIS in Europe, on the absurd 10 week program with the state 18's or injured, didnt play much for Swans that year and i reckon that didnt help his development at all as his 1st 2 years at GWS were ordinary, he got dropped last year.

Heres a interview with Darren Harris X WP premiership coach and club captain. Darren is the State U18 coordinator and has a few words re the match v SA

Some interesting insights into the game v SA

www.sportfm.com.au/20140522_darren_harris.mp3

MO, Swallow won a Larke Medal at 17, came top 3 in the VFL F&B the next year, didn't hold him back those 5 -6 games of state u/18's.....don't think O'Meara,Hogan, Martin etc went backwards the next year after playing in the state carnival at 17....Hogan kicked 50 odd goals in the VFL for Casey from memory.....whilst O'Meara and Martin won F&B for the GC reserves side playing in an adult league.....and O'Meara won the rising star didn't he last year?

Coniglio like most youngsters will plateau at some point playing against stronger and more mature bodies, week in week out, especially in the AFL.....don't think 6 - 8 extra games for SD in a weaker league is gonna change that do you? Plus didn't Stevo star and kick 4 goals in the WAFL GF that year?.....mmmmmm not too sure how those weeks in Europe and State 18's impacted him development wise in the biggest game of the year.....but hey you have followed much closer than I......so fair due then....

Do you think 5 - 6 games of elite under age football is gonna digress Blakely's or Andersons footy for SD this year and the AFL if drafted?.....if these kids are good enough they will adapt.....

most folk are seeing this whole process from their own selfish concerns here.....no Smith and Perth won't be as strong.........no Blakely or Anderson will weaken SD.....good sides will over come these probs....just as SD did v Cl....and will probably do again v Perth this weekend......state footy is a fantastic achievement no matter the level or age of the comp....

if you say so..